Method and apparatus for a controlled delivery of particles

Abstract

In a method and in an apparatus for the controlled delivery of particles, said particles are supplied to a measurement station in which the quantity of particles is detected. The particles are subsequently transferred by the measurement station to a dispensing device and are dispensed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the controlled delivery of allergenic particles, comprising the following steps:
 continuously supplying stored particles to a measurement station; 
 continuously detecting the quantity of supplied particles in the measurement station; 
 transferring the detected particles from the measurement station to a dispensing device; and 
 delivering the transferred particles from the dispensing device, to an exposed patient to study symptoms. 
 
     
     
       2. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are supplied to the measurement station in a strip-shaped arrangement. 
     
     
       3. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are supplied to the measurement station in one layer. 
     
     
       4. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are supplied to the measurement station in a packaging. 
     
     
       5. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are conducted through the measurement station in a packaging. 
     
     
       6. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are introduced into the dispensing device in a closed packaging; and in that the packaging is opened in the dispensing device. 
     
     
       7. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are supplied in a strip-shaped packaging which in particular comprises two film strips, transparent or translucent film strips. 
     
     
       8. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are sucked off from the inner side of an opened packaging in the dispensing device. 
     
     
       9. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are displaced by means of compressed air in the dispensing device and are delivered from the dispensing device. 
     
     
       10. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the speed at which the particles are transferred to the dispensing device is controlled in dependence on the detected quantity of particles. 
     
     
       11. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the particles are counted in the measurement station. 
     
     
       12. A method in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that image data of the particles are acquired in the measurement station.